This two men were the last people who were executed in Canada in Don Jail. The one on the left side is Arthur Lucas and the one on the right is Ronald Turpin. They were hang 50 years ago on December 11 1962.

Capital Punishment

-P1 Write a brief history about what capital punishment is and its history in Canada.

Capital Punishment is when someone is put to death using different types of methods, for a serious crime such as murder, rape and drug dealing. It is also known as” Death Penalty”. So therefore, the most common way of capital punishment is hanging or decapitating. Although many countries refrain from using capital punishment, many countries still practice it. Countries like USA, Saudi Arabia, China, etc. still use capital punishment. In my opinion, I personally agree with capital punishment as it creates a sense of fear in the minds of the criminals, so he/she will think twice before committing a crime. It also makes the family of the victim get justice and they will be satisfied with the decision.

-P2 Referencing the short story “Two Fishermen” discuss how if the story was based in Canada when it might have taken place based on your knowledge of capital punishment.

Thomas Delaney should not be killed for his actions. Matthew Reinhart was molesting Thomas Delaney’s wife and that’s when Thomas Delaney killed him. First, his action was justifiable defense. He saw that his wife’ life was in danger, so he killed Matthew Reinhart so that he can protect his wife. Second, Thomas is not a threat to society, he didn’t kill a person for blood lust. Especially, Matthew was a disgusting rapist. Finally, when the imperfection of the law and government cannot protect and help the people, people were very helpless, can only be relied on themselves through their own way. Law is inanimate but humanly is emotional, the law must always be bundled with human.

-P3 Discuss your opinion on whether Thomas Delaney should have been killed for his actions in defending his wife. Come up with an argument and three reasons why or why not he should have been killed.

Thomas Delaney should not have been killed. Firstly, Thomas Delaney’s behavior is to protect his wife. When someone hurt their own wife, I do not think they will be very calm to face. Perhaps his behavior is too impulsive. But we can understand his pain caused by the killing. Second, there is no absolute the right way on the morality and justice. On morally, Thomas Delaney should not kill. In justice, should not sentenced Thomas Delaney to death penalty because he is forced to do. These two methods all make people die. Lastly, Thomas Delaney’s behavior can be understood. I think do not need to use this extreme way to punish him. We can use the penalty as now “It was replaced with a mandatory life sentence without possibility of parole for 25 years for all first-degree murders” .